The Annual Meeting of the LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education will take place on October 15, 2025, at 3:00 pm (Central) at the Leadership Institute in Milwaukee. Members will have the opportunity to vote on a slate of new (and renewing) board members.
The new candidates are Brian Cain, Endicott College; George F. Kacenga, William Paterson University; Michelle Fischthal, San Diego Community College District; Susan Henking, Wells College; and Jonathan Herbert, The Julliard School. Standing for renewed terms are Kevin Leonard, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; Luca Lewis, Ventura College; and Daniel Lopez, Harold Washington College.
Brian Cain is Interim President at Endicott College. He is drawn to the mission of LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, as it resonates with his personal and professional values. He writes, “Throughout my career, I have been an advocate for creating inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, can thrive. I believe that my experience in strategic leadership, market development, and collaborative engagement will enable me to contribute meaningfully to the Board’s efforts in advancing LGBTQ leadership in higher education.”
Michelle Fischthal is Vice Chancellor of Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness at the San Diego Community College District. She writes, “For the past two years, I have served on the Institute Planning Committee for LGBTQ Leaders in Higher Education, helping to design programming that fosters leadership development and connection among LGBTQ+ professionals, and I am currently serving on the programming and membership committee. As a queer higher education executive, I am committed to being visibly present both within and beyond LGBTQ+ spaces and offering representation, advocacy, and a point of connection for others navigating leadership roles.”
George F. Kacenga is Vice President for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ. He was previously with M Square Media (MSM), where he served as assistant vice president in the global marketing office. In this role, he worked with universities on enrollment management, prospect engagement, student recruitment, and new student on-boarding. He also served as executive director of undergraduate admissions and executive director of global engagement at Purdue University Northwest, and at University of Colorado Denver as director of international enrollment management.
Susan Henking has been a leader in higher education for decades, as faculty member and administrator at Hobart and William Smith, as president at Shimer College, Salem Academy and College, and Wells College. A passionate advocate of liberal arts education and religious studies, Susan was a co-founder of what was then called LGB Studies at HWS and taught and published regularly at the intersection of religious studies and LGBTQ studies, including the landmark co-edited book QUEERYING RELIGION. She lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York with her partner Betty Bayer and their dog Bunty (soon to be joined by a sister named Frankie).
Jonathan Herbert is Associate Provost for Admissions at the Julliard School. His previous experience has included the Manhattan School of Music, where he oversaw the management of over $50 million of institutional and federal funds, and The New School. He joined the Finance Committee of the LGBTQ Leaders in December 2024.
Richard Helldobler currently serves as Past-President of the Board and President at William Paterson University. He is a candidate for the position of Chair of the Council of Presidents. The Chair of the Council of Presidents serves as a member of the Board of Directors.
Board officers for 2025-26 will also be selected. Kristin Esterberg will move from Board President to Past-President, while Joe Bertolino will move from President-elect to President. Members will vote on whether to approve Jonathan Herbert as Treasurer (two year term), Daniel Lopez, as secretary (two year term), and George Kacenga as President-elect (one year term, to become President in 2026-27).